Seven desirable Man Utd shirt numbers available for January transfers including iconic jersey

Manchester United could be forced into making a key signing this January, an approach which is not in keeping with their usual transfer policy.

The Red Devils, like most clubs in the Premier League, tend to complete their big-money signings in the summer, although the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo has drastically altered the landscape at Old Trafford. The 37-year-old leaving by mutual consent means United have just one senior striker in Anthony Martial, a player who has started only twice in the Premier League this season due to injury.

Ten Hag will no doubt be concerned that another injury to his sole centre-forward could pose considerable problems in the second part of the campaign, and while Marcus Rashford can operate up front, he is ideally suited to playing in the wide areas. Ten Hag has also already admitted he plans to recruit in this area should the right signing become available.

Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix are among the names which have been suggested as possible arrivals in January, and a move for any of the quartet would see United make a major mid-season signing for the first time in three years, when Bruno Fernandes joined from Sporting Lisbon.

Should the Red Devils add a forward to their ranks next month, there will be several available squad numbers for the player to choose between. The most coveted is the fabled no.7 jersey, worn by George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and, of course, recently vacated by Ronaldo.

Handing a January transfer the no.7 shirt would be an indication that he is highly regarded, with the club well aware of the pressure and mystique that accompanies it. Indeed, United released a marketing campaign earlier this year based around the jersey with the tagline Seven: It’s more than just a number.

Yet there are other shirts available, including 13, a number usually associated with a goalkeeper, and four of the last five holders of that jersey have been worn by shot stoppers. There’s also 15, last worn by Andreas Perieria, and 24, a squad number linked with Darren Fletcher, who occupied it between 2003 and 2015.

Other available numbers under 40 include 32, 35 and 37, although any player sales in January could change that dynamic.